kkoziol

Narrowed down to two islands: St. Croix and St. Lucia. I would like a beachfront hotel within walking distance to restaurants, shops, bars. Also, easy access to deep sea fishing and sight seeing tours. Any suggestions as to best island for my buck?

Thanks!

eileen

Please give us more info about your priorities. I don't think either will have a beachfront hotel within walking distance of restaurants, shops, bars -- both islands are fairly spread out and you are relatively resort-bound, especially in St. Lucia where the driving is difficult and the roads not great. If you want white sand beaches with turquoise water go with St. Croix. If you want a very mountainous, lush island with incredible scenery choose St. Lucia. The beaches are dark brown and the water dark blue. Some people are disappointed by this. On St. Croix, an excursion to Buck Island is a must. On St. Lucia, don't miss the pitons. St. Lucia may have more to see than St. Croix, which in my opinion is all about the water and beaches. I may be wrong, but I think the fishing is better on St. Croix.

doug_stallings

There are definitely beachfront hotels in St. Lucia in the Rodney Bay area that are within walking distance to several restaurants. But there really isn't a similar place in St. Croix. THere you absolutely have to have a car to get around. I love both islands, so I don't think you'll go wrong with any choice, but there are actually relatively few islands in the Caribbean where you can walk to restaurants. Belize, yes. And if you stay on Jost Van Dyke, everything is within walking distance.

virginia

agree with doug and eileen. i'd say neither of these islands is the right choice for you. from the brief description of your wants perhaps you might look at negril on jamaica, near the st.lawrence gap on barbados or possibly a resort by playa del carman (south of cancun)mexico.
barbados and playa del carman would both offer lots of options for sightseeing and deep sea fishing. jamaica is huge so harder to get places.

KVR

Aruba. The Palm Beach area has plenty of hotels to choose from directly on Palm Beach and are across the street from several bars, shops, and resturants. Here's a link to deep sea fishing and other tours:

http://www.aruba-mahimahi.com/

www.depalm.com

www.abc-aruba.com

http://www.arubatours.net/

I also agree with Playa del Carmen. Just get a hotel within walking distance to 5th Avenue. There are many things to see and do within that area.

doug_stallings

I would also add Grand Cayman. If you stay on Seven Mile Beach, there are clusters of restaurants that are walkable from several hotels, as well as a reasonably priced local bus service.

mellyaugusta

beachfront within walking distance from restaruants. You want the Royal St.Lucian Hotei and Bay Gardens Beach resort as they are literally on the beach, and literally 1-2 mins from the restaurants, bars and shops. there's deep-sea fishing excursions as well which can be arranged by your hotel. St.Lucia is the place, hands down.

StanKase

St. Lucia is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean from beaches to mountains with lush flora and mountasin peaks (Pistons). It is far less commercialized than Aruba or GC and therefore more relaxing but less restaurants to choose from but overall it would be my choice.

tejana

If you are a diver, then St Croix is amazing because the Cane Bay wall is so close that you can swim out to it from beaches on the North Shore. I personally like Croix because it is off the main tourist path, has fabulous beaches and is a "real" island instead of just one big cruise ship stop, but the Piton end of Lucia is one of the most beautiful places in the world. No wrong answers!

sunnybee

I'd say St.lucia all the way. Don't miss out on the great food,wonderful personalities of it's people. Go out and enjoy the local everyday life. Not the best on beaches but they are still gorgeous.Take a trip down to Soufriere, visit the drive in Volcano,see the Pitons and waterfalls and all the lovely scenery as you drive over the mountains. It is really really beautiful there